Page 11 of An Arranged Marriage with a Cruel Earl
“Perhaps this is all a little overwhelming, Henry,” Charlotte said gently. Emmeline looked gratefully at her.
“Mayhap it’s the heat,” Aunt Patricia suggested, diving in helpfully. “Perhaps we should go down to the garden?”
“I do not intend to stay long.” That was Lord Rildendale, answering coldly.
“Oh, but a brief turn in the garden...you surely have time for that!” Uncle Henry chided, grinning.
“I shall take a brief walk about the garden,” he agreed.
Emmeline walked with Amelia to the door. Mama and Aunt went first, which meant that Lord Rilendale and Uncle, waiting for the ladies to exit first, followed her and Amelia down the stairs. Emmeline fancied she could feel his gaze burning into her. She shivered.
“It’s rather cooler than inside,” Uncle Henry commented as they went out of the door to the small garden. They all trooped down the path towards the stone benches. There were two. Amelia and Emmeline sat down on one, Mama and Aunt on the other. The two men stood.
“And, do you enjoy travelling?” Aunt Patricia was asking Lord Rilendale when Emmeline brought her attention back to the conversation.
“I travel very little,” Andrew answered in that same chilly tone as usual.
“Oh, one must travel a bit!” Aunt Patricia continued, trying to be conversational. “The heat in London is unbearable—we shall doubtless go to the countryside before it gets too hot.”
“My estate is but a few miles from London,” Andrew answered tightly.
“Oh! Well, then. We will see each other quite often.”
Amelia looked at Emmeline, her eyes wide with horror. Emmeline drew a breath. She could not believe how blind Uncle and Aunt were. She was about to blurt out what Amelia had told her, but her cousin looked warningly at her.
She leaned back, struggling to contain her anger at her aunt and uncle and the rude intruder.
She studied him, distracting herself and trying to plan what to do. Rude and unpleasant he certainly was.Is he a murderer, though?she asked herself.
After a second or two of gazing at his cold, handsome face, she had to conclude she was unsure. What did a murderer look like, after all?
“You must call on us again,” Uncle Henry was saying as she turned her gaze to him. Beside her, Amelia stiffened, and Emmeline shot Uncle Henry a shocked stare. He didn’t seem to notice, too busy being polite.
Andrew replied.
“I would, of course, gladly.”
Emmeline thought he sounded completely insincere. There was no gladness in any inch of him.
Lord Rilendale went back into the house with Uncle Henry, and they all followed indoors. It seemed that the earl had some urgent business to attend to, because he shook hands with Uncle, bowed to Aunt and Mama and then turned to Amelia and Emmeline.
“Thank you, my lady,” he said to Amelia coldly. He turned his pale gaze to Emmeline, and she shivered. Then he turned and walked out of the door.
Emmeline took Amelia’s hand in her own. Next to her, her cousin swayed, about to pass out.
“Come, cousin,” she said gently. “Let us go upstairs. Excuse me, Uncle. Excuse me, Aunt. Amelia is not well.”
“Would you like something sent up?” Aunt Patricia asked, instantly concerned. “Some tea, mayhap? Something to soothe a headache?”
“No. Thank you,” Amelia said in a whisper.
Out of earshot and making their way to the staircase, Amelia leaned in closer to Emmeline.
“I cannot do it,” Amelia whispered. “I can barely speak a word to him.”
“I know,” Emmeline agreed. “Nor could I. He’s quite frightening.”
“I’m so scared, Emmeline,” Amelia said softly. “Please. Can you think of something?”
Emmeline inclined her head. “I shall,” she assured.
She had to think of something, and soon. In a week, she and Mama would be at the country estate. Amelia was too dear and sweet to have to face such a wicked, cruel man as that. She needed a solution fast.
